Youngstorget ( en, Young’s Square) is a square and public space located in downtown Oslo. It lies at the junction of the streets Storgata and Møllergata and alongside Torggata. Constructed in 1846, it has become a symbol of political power in Norway.

Etymology

Although colloquially called Youngstorget by the public, the square was officially named Nytorvet ("New Square") in 1852, which was its official name until 1951, when the city council voted to change the name to Youngstorget. It is named after

politician A politician is a person active in party politics, or a person holding or seeking an elected office in government. Politicians propose, support, reject and create laws that govern the land and by an extension of its people. Broadly speaking ...

and

financier An investor is a person who allocates financial capital with the expectation of a future return (profit) or to gain an advantage (interest). Through this allocated capital most of the time the investor purchases some species of property. Type ...

Jørgen Young Jørgen Young (baptized April 17, 1781 – died February 26, 1837) was a Norwegian timber merchant born in Vinger, Norway. '' Youngstorget'' (Young Square) in Oslo is named after him. Young had his own dwelling in the building that now stands at ...

(1784–1837) who owned most of the adjacent area. A former member of the '' Storting'', by the time of his death, Young was the wealthiest man in the city.

Features

Due to its close proximity to the Government quarter the area around the square includes the headquarters of many political organizations. Because of this it is considered to be the center of political power in Norway. Surrounding the square lies amongst others the head offices of the Norwegian Labour Party, the Workers' Youth League, the

Liberal Party The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left. __TOC__ Active liberal parties This is a li ...

and the

Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions ( no, Landsorganisasjonen i Norge, LO) is a national trade union center, decidedly the largest and probably the most influential umbrella organization of labour unions in Norway. The 21 national union ...

. Associated with the Labor movement, it is the site of annual

May day May Day is a European festival of ancient origins marking the beginning of summer, usually celebrated on 1 May, around halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice. Festivities may also be held the night before, known as May Eve. Tr ...

celebrations, as well as other mainly political demonstrations. A painting of Youngstorget in 1926 by Sigurd Fosnes decorates a wall in

Restaurant Schrøder Restaurant Schrøder is a restaurant in Waldemar Thranes gate 8 at St. Hanshaugen in Oslo, Norway. This restaurant appeared in several fictional works including Jo Nesbø's books about Harry Hole and several books by Bjørg Vik. Schrøder in To ...

in St. Hanshaugen. Squares in Oslo {{coord, 59.914943, 10.748826, type:landmark_region:NO, display=title